Definition
The official written record of what a board or membership meeting decided — motions, votes, and actions taken.
Minutes are the official legal record of a meeting. Importantly, they document decisions, not a transcript of the discussion.
Good minutes capture the date and attendance, confirmation of quorum, each motion with who made and seconded it, the vote result, and any assignments. They deliberately leave out the back-and-forth of debate, which doesn't belong in the record and can create liability. Once approved at the next meeting, minutes become the official record and are often subject to owner inspection.